Pubdate: Thu, 05 Jun 2003
Source: Richmond Review, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Richmond Public Library
Contact:  http://www.richmondreview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/704

HITTING POT HOLES

Ottawa's proposed new laws on marijuana are obscured in clouds of smoke, as 
the government spins its wheels trying to go in two directions at the same 
time.

On one hand, the laws decriminalize simple possession of marijuana. Getting 
caught with less than 15 grams of pot would result in a ticketed fine 
ranging anywhere from $100 to $400, depending on age and circumstances. The 
offender would not appear in court, or receive a criminal record.

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon says the revised laws do not mean the 
federal government is encouraging marijuana use. In fact, he says the 
message is the opposite, since in the past simple possession of pot often 
resulted in just a warning from police. Most police officers and many 
parents remain unconvinced of the "new" message, insisting a ticket is no 
deterrent.

Meanwhile, Cauchon's new legislation contradicts itself by coming down 
harder on grow operations. Punishment would range from one year in jail or 
a fine for three plants or less, to a maximum of 14 years for 50 or more 
plants. The latter is about double the present maximum penalty (which is 
rarely, if ever, applied).

With tougher penalties (assuming the courts use them), the risk of growing 
pot also increases. This may translate into higher costs for the organized 
gangs behind most marijuana grow ops.

If demand continues to be high, and pot prices are jacked up to absorb 
increased costs, along with a commensurate percentage of additional profit, 
it's possible Ottawa's new laws will cause pot cultivation to become even 
more outrageously lucrative than it already is.

One of the most intelligent and comprehensive studies of the marijuana 
issue in Canada is The Report of the Special Senate Committee on Drug Use: 
Cannabis, released last year. The committee reached these conclusions: 
There are really only two basic policies on marijuana--prohibition and 
legalization. The former clearly doesn't work, and decriminalization is a 
weak and confused version of prohibition.

The Liberals ought to go back and read that report.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Alex